Film chopping mechanism



March 5, 1957 G. s. RUGG FILM CHOPPING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 3, 1954 GORDON S. RUGG INVEN TOR. OAZLM 1 2a ATTORNEYS March 5, 1957 e. s. RUGG FILM CHOPPING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 3, 1954 5. RUGG GORDON INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent "ice FILM CHOPPING MECHANISM Gordon S. Rugg, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 3, 1954, Serial No. 407,969 12 Claims. (Cl. 164-.--34) The present invention relates to a cutting or shearing mechanism, and more particularly to a so-called fiying sheets; by which sheets of a predetermined length-are cut from a continuously moving web.

In the applicants copending application Serial No. 403,406, filed January 11-, 1954, there is shown a mechanism by which a wide web of photographic material and a 5" wide web of paper are cut separately into sheets The presentinvention has as its principal object the provision of a new and improved web chopper.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a chopper which moves at web speed during the cutting or chopping operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a unique arrangement for supporting both knives or chopperson a single supporting member for movement as a unit on opposite sides of the film prior to and during the chopping operation.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an arrangement for imparting dual movement to one of the chopping members.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a mounting arrangement by which the required pressure for shearing is obtained without the use of springs and-a pivot.

And still another object of the invention is the provision of a shearing or chopping mechanism which is relatively simple in construction, comprisesfew parts of rugged construction, easy to operate and maintain, and highly effective in use. p 7

To these and other ends, the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l. is a vertical, sectional view through the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5 and taken substantially on line 11 of the latter, with parts removed for purposes of clarity, showing the relation of the two knives with respect to the moving film web at the top or starting point of the cycle;

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. l but showing the relative positions of the knives at the cutting or severing point of the film in thecycle;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2, but showing the relation of the knives at the bottom position and after having severed the film web.

Fig. 4 is a partial view of the mechanism'illustrated in 2,783,839 Patented Mar..-5,- 195.7

2 Figs. 1-3, showing the path. of the cutting edge of one of the knives relative'to the moving film;

Fig. 5 is a plan view, with parts in section, showing the position of the knives and their supporting and moving means; and

Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the mechanisms illustrated in Fig. 5, showing the relation of the parts.

Similar reference numerals. throughout the various views indicate the same parts.

Referring to Figs. 1-3, it is seen thatv a web of paper 11 is conducted substantially horizontally to the top of a vacuum roll 12, while a film web 13 approaches. the roll 12 at an angle of. approximately 30 to the line 1414 through a center 15 of the roll 12. Both the paper and film webs are 5" in width. Just ahead of roll 12, or to the right thereof as viewed'in Figs. 1-3, a pair of rotating knives, not shown, severs the web 11 into sheetssubstantially 4" long. Also, the film web 13 is severed into sheets 4" long by the severing or chopping mechanism of the present invention, broadly indicated by the numeral 16. As the paper severing means forms no part of the present: invention, details thereof are not disclosed. The paper chopping means and the film chopping means 16' move at web speeds so that the severed paper and film sheets approach the vacuum roll 12 continuously. Also, the vacuum roll 12 runs exactly at the speed of the film so there is no space between adjacent film sheets. Preferably, the paper sheets are cut slightly shorter than the film sheets, and approach the vacuum roll 12 at a slightly slower speed than the film sheets, slipping on the roll 12 for a short period until the paper sheet is completely severed from the web 11, at which time the severed paper sheet starts traveling at the speed of the roll 12, leaving a small gap between successive paper sheets on roll 12. The film and paper choppers are sotimedthat leading edges 17 of both film and paper sheets are in alignment, as shown in Figs. 1-3. As also shown in these figures, the severed film and paper sheets are in overlying relation and provide an assembly or combination.

As the vacuum roll 12 forms no part of the present invention, details thereof are not shown. Sufiice to'say that vacuum is applied to the roll 12 from the point 19 on line 14 to the point 20 of film tangency. At the point '26, a spring-mounted driven pressure roll 21 holds each film and papersheet assembly giving sufficient traction to the film so the combination can be pushed forward and be received by the mechanism shown and described in applicants above-mentioned copending application.

The film web '13 is guided to the chopper 16 by a pair of plush-covered cinch guide rolls 22 and 23, positioned above and in alignment with bight 24 of the rollers 12 and 21. The cinch rolls 22 and 23 are used to aid in the drive of the film Web through the chopper and exert extremely light pressure on the film. The roll 22 is fixed on the support member 25, while roll 23 is carried on an arm 26 pivoted at 27 and pressed by means of a spring 28-toward roll 22, as is deemed apparent from an inspection of Fig. 2. The supporting member 25 may be suitablv mounted on and supported by the main machine frame, a portion of which is shown at 29, Figs. 5 and 6.

With the exception of the chopper 16, the above-described mechanism forms no part of the present invention, and is not, therefore, further illustrated or described.

The film chopping is accomplished through the use of a 4-bar linkage which consists of linkage AB, B-C, AD and CD. AB represents two fixed points which are spaced apart a fixed distance and in a definite relation. These points AB could be connected by an actual rigid stationary link, bar, or member. However, the mechanism will be just as effective without the use of an actual link connecting A and B so long as these points maintain their spacing and relation. Accordingly, AB can be considered, and actually is, the mechanical and kinematic equivalent of a link. B-C is a crank in which the point C is mounted or connected eccentrically to a rotating wheel or member 31, which is mounted for rotation through a complete circle 32 about the point B, the center of wheel 31. The latter is mounted on a shaft 33 which is connected to a suitable power source which rotates the wheel 31 continuously and at the proper speed. A-D is in the form of a rocker arm or plate 34 which oscillates about the point A. Finally, C D is a connecting rod in the form of a link 35 which is pivoted or rockably connected at its opposite ends to points C and D. Thus, rod or link 35 connects wheel 31 and rocker arm 34.

The connecting rod 35 intermediate points C and D, has fixedly mounted thereon a knife 36 with a cutting edge at point B. The lengths of the various links and the location of the point B on link C-D are predetermined so as to obtain a path of motion of E approximately as shown at 37, Fig. 4. Point E must travel from point F to point G, Fig. 4, in a straight downward path with the film web 13 and at the same constant speed as the film during approximately one-third of a revolution of crank CD. It is during this portion of the cycle that the film web is chopped. As the point E reaches its extreme downward travel, it moves to the right, Fig. 4, and away from the film web at G and then returns to its initial top point along the curved path, as shown by the arrows on the right of the path, Fig. 4.

The other knife 40 is carried by the connecting rod 35 CD so as to travel with the same motion as knife 36; but, in addition, knife 40 has a second or reciprocating action relative to knife 36. In other words, knife 49 has a dual movement, one with knife 36 and one relative thereto, as will be later described. To secure this result, knife 4% is mounted on a crosshead 41 which slides on posts 42 and 43 toward and away from knife 36. The posts 42 and 43 are supported on the rod 35, link CD, which also carries knife 36. The crosshead 41 is moved upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 5, by means of coil springs 44 which are positioned between the connecting rod 35, link C-D, and the crosshead 41, as best shown in Fig. 5. The upward movement of crosshead 41 by means of springs 44 brings a cam 45 on the crosshead into positive engagement with a fixed roller 46. Thus, as the connecting rod 35, link CD, travels up and down, by means of crank BC, both knives 36 and 40 move up and down as a unit on opposite sides of the film web. This movement serves to bring successively different portions of the cam 45 into engagement with the roller 46. The cam 45 is so shaped that as the knives 36 and 40 move up and down, the knife 40 also moves transversely of the film path or towards and away from the knife 36.

The cam 45 and roller 46 are designed to give uniform acceleration and deceleration to the crosshead 41 during its travel to the right or towards knife 36. Fig. 1 shows the position of the parts at the start of the cycle. As the wheel 31 rotates, the point C of connecting rod 35, link C-D, moves around circle 32 as best shown in Fig. l, to that shown in Fig. 2. During this movement both knives 36 and 46 move downward with the connecting rod 35. link CD at the same speed as the moving web, knife 36 following along path FG. In addition, the engagement of cam 45 with the fixed roller 46 will progressively move or shift the crosshead 41 to the right, as viewed in Figs. 1-3, to move the knife 40 towards the knife 36., as is deemed apparent from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2. When the position shown in Fig. 2 is reached, the knife 40 has cooperated with knife 36 to sever a sheet of film from the web 13. The rotation of point C around the circle 32 is continued until the parts reach the position illustrated in Fig. 3 at whichtime point B of knife 36 has reached point G. As rotation of point C continues around circle 32 back to the position illustrated in Fig. 1, point B moves to the right and away from the film web and then moves upward, as shown by the curved arrow path, Fig. 4. Also, knife 40 moves upward as a unit with knife 36; and, in addition, the springs 42 and 43 hold the cam 45 positively against the fixed roll 46 to cause the knife 40 also to move to the left and away from the film web along a curved path, somewhat similar to that followed by knife 36. Thus, knife 49 has two movements, namely, one with knife 36 and one relative thereto in a direction toward and away from knife 36. When the parts finally reach the position illustrated in Fig. 1, they are ready for the next chopping cycle.

The 4-bar linkage and its associated parts preferably are mounted on and secured to a circular plate 47 which may be positioned in a similarly shaped opening 50 in the main machine frame 29, see Fig. 6. The drive shaft 33 for crank 31, and the drive for the rollers 22 and 23 are connected to suitable means, not shown, positioned to the right of plate 29, Figs. 5 and 6.

The present invention thus provides a chopping mechanism by which sheets of a predetermined length are chopped from a continuously moving web. During the cutting operation the two cutting knives or choppers move in the direction of the web movement and at the web speed. Both knives are supported on the same supporting member so that they move as a unit. In addition, one of the knives has imparted thereto a second movement so it may cooperate with the other knife to sever the web at the proper moment to secure a sheet of the proper length. The required pressure for the shearing is obtained without the use of springs or pivots.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. This application, therefore, is not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A mechanism for severing a moving web to form sheets of a predetermined length comprising, in combination, a link positioned on one side of said web, a web cutting member positionedon'said link, a second web cutting member positioned on the opposite side of said web and in cooperative relation with said first member, means to mount said second member movably on said link, a rotating element, means to pivot one end of said link movably, means to connect the other end of said link eccentrically to said element so that rotation of the latter will rock said link to move both members in the direction of movement of and at substantially the same lineal speed of said web, and means including a cam on said mounting means and a fixed roller engaging said cam formoving said second member on said link for movement transversely of said direction and toward said first member to sever said web.

2. A mechanism for severing a moving web to form sheets of a predetermined length comprising, in combina tion, a link positioned on one side of said web, a web cutting member positioned on said link, a second web cutting member positioned on the opposite side of said web and in cooperative relation with said first member, means to mount said second member movable on said link, a rotation element, means to pivot one end of said link movably, means to connect the other end of said link eccentrically to said element so that rotation of the latter will rock said link to move both members in the direction of movement of and at substantially the same lineal speed of said web, a cam on said second member, and a stationary roller engaged by said cam when said link is n. iN'

arsa ssa 5! \3 rocked to move said second member transversely of said direction and toward said firstmember to sever saidrweb.

3; A- mechanism for severing a moving web to'form' sheets of a predetermined length comprising, in combination,- a link positioned on one side of said web, a web cutting member positioned on said =link, a second web cutting member positioned 'on the opposite side of said web'- and in cooperative relation-withsaid firstmember, means to monnt'said second member movably on. said link, a rotation element, means to pivot one end of said link movably, means to connect the other end of said link eccentri'cally to said element so that rotation of the latter will rock said link to move bothmembers in the direction of movement of and at substantially thesame linealspeed of said web, a cam on said second member, a stationary roller engaged by said cam when said link is rocked to move said second member transversely of said direction-andtoward said first member to sever said web, and means on said link for moving said second member transversely of said direction and away from said first member after said web has been severed.

4: A, mechanism for severing a moving web to form sheets of .a predetermined length comprising, in combination, a link positioned on one side of said web, a web cutting. member positioned on said link, a second web cutting member positioned on the opposite side of said web and in cooperative relation with said first member, means to mount said second member movably on said link, a rotatingelement, and movable pivot for one end ofwsaid. link, means to eccentrically pivot the other end of said link to said element so that rotation of the latter will oscillate said link tomove both members in the direction of movement and at the lineal speed of'said web, a stationary roller, means on said second member engaging said roller to move said second member transversely of said direction and toward said first member to sever said web; and spring means on said link connected to said second member to move the latter transversely of said direction and away from said first member after said webhas been severe-d.

5-.- A mechanism for severing a movingweb to form sheets of a predetermined length comprising, oom'bination, a. link positioned on one side of said web, a web cutting memberpositioned on said link, a second web cutting member positioned on the opposite side of said web. and in cooperative relation with said first member, means to' mount sa'id sec'ond member movably on said link, a rotating element, movable pivot for one end of said link, means to eccentrically pivot the other end of said link to said element so that rotation of the latter wilLoscillate said link to move both members in the direction of movement and at the lineal speed of said web, a stationary roller, a cam on said second member engaging said roller to impart a second movement to said second member transversely of said direction and toward said first member to cooperate therewith to sever said web, the element then rocking said link to move both of said members in a direction opposite to the movement of said web and also to shift said first member away from said web, and spring means on said link engaging said second member to maintain the latter in positive engagement with said roller and to move said second member away from said web after the latter has been severed.

6. A mechanism for severing a moving web to form sheets of a predetermined length comprising, in combination, a rocker arm, means to pivot one end of said arm, a rod, means to pivot one end of said rod on the other end of said arm, a web severing member fixedly mounted on said rod and positioned on one side of said web, a second web severing member positioned on the opposite side of said web, means to mount said second member movably on said rod for movement toward and away from said first member, a rotating crank, means to pivot the other end of said rod eccentrically on said crank so thatirotationof thewlatter'will:oscillate; saidlrod to move said members on opposite} sides of said web'in; the direc'-. tion of-move-ment and at the linealspeed-of said web; and; means to movesaid second member-transversely to said web and towardsaid first" member to cooperate with the ,l'attertorsevcr the web.

7. A- mechanism for severing a moving web to form sheets of a predetermined: l'ength cornprising, in combination, a rocker arm,=m'ea-ns topivot one end of said arm, a rotating crank, aeonnecting rod, meansto, pivot one end of said rodon, the otherfend-zof said arm, a web severing memberfixedly mounted on said rodv and posi tioned omone side of said web, a second web'seyering member positioned on; the opposite side of 'said web',

means to: mount said second member. movably on: said rod for movement toward andaway fror'ri said-firstmember, means to pivot the-other end; of said rod eccentrically on said crank so that rotation of the latter will oscillate said rod to move said members-yon opposite sides of said web in the direction of-mov'e'ment and at the lineal speed of said web, a cam carried by said? second member, a stationary roller engaged by said: cam fo move said sec.- ond member transversely, of thedirection of movement of said web and towardsaidfirst member to sever said web, and means to hold said cam in positive: engagementwith said roller l r 8-; A meeha-nism-ifor severing, a moving web to form sheets of a predetermined lengthcomprising, in combination,- a rocker-arm, rn'eans'to pivot one end. of saidaarm, a rotatingicrank, fa connecting'rod', means to pivot one end of said rod on the other ,endof said-arm, a web severing member fixedly mounted 'on said-rod and positioned on onesideof ,said web, a second web severing member positioned on theother? opposite side-of said web; means to mount said second: member movably on said rod for movement towardyand awayirom: said first member, means to pivot the" other. end of saidr'od eccen trically on, said crank so that rotation of thelatter will oscillate said rod to movesaid members on opposite sides ofsaid' web 'in the direction 'oftmovement'and at the lineal speed rastsaidsweb, a cam carried by said second member, j a stationary roller engaged: by said 0am to move said secondmembentransversel of theidirection of movement of said web andtoward-said first member to sever said web, the rotating of said crank then serving to move both elements in a direction opposite the movement of said web andsimultaneously to" movesaid first member away from said web, and spring means on said rod engaging said-second member. to move-the latter away from said .web and to maintain-said cam in positive engagement with said roller.

9.- A- mechanism for severing a moving web to form sheets of a predetermined length comprising, in combination, a rocker arm, a fixed pivot about which one end of said arm may be moved, a crank rotatable about a fixed point, said pivot and point being spaced a fixed distance, a connecting rod, means to pivot one end of said rod at the other end of said arm, a web severing member mounted on said rod and positioned on one side of said web, means to connect the other end of said rod to said crank eccen trically of said point so that rotation of said crank will oscillate said rod and move the latter about its pivot on said arm and also will rock said arm and rod about said fixed pivot, a second web severing means positioned on the other side of said web from said first severing means, means to mount said second member movably on said rod so that rotation of said crank will move both severing means in the direction and at the lineal speed of said web, means to move said second severing member toward said first member while also moving in said direction to severthe web, continued rotation of said crank moving both members in a direction opposite to said web movement and also moving said first member away from said web, and means for moving said second member away from said web and said first member.

7 10. A mechanism'for severing a moving web to form sheets of a predetermined length comprising, in combination, a rocker arm, a fixed pivot about which one end of said arm may be moved, a crank rotatable about a fixed point, said pivot and point being spaced a fixed distance, a connecting rod, means to pivot one end of said rod on the other end of said arm, a web severing member mounted on said rod and positioned on one side of said web, means to connect the other end of said rod to said crank eccentrically of'said point so that rotation of said crank will oscillate said rod and move the latter about its pivot on said arm and also will rock said arm and rod about said fixed pivot, a second web severing means positioned on the otherside of said web from said first severing means, means to mount said secondmember movably on said rod so that rotation of said crank will move both severing means in the direction and at the lineal speed of said web, a fixed roller,-a cam member on said second member engaging said roller to move said second member engaging said roller to move said second member toward said first member simultaneously with the movement of said members in saiddirection to bring said second member into cooperating relation with said first member to sever said web, means to move both members in a direction opposite to said web movement after the severing thereof and simultaneously to move said first member away from said web, and spring means on said rod engaging said second member to move the latter away from said web when said members are moved in said opposite direction and to retain said cam in engagement with said roller.

llaA mechanism for severing a moving web to form sheets of a predetermined length comprising, in combination, a rocker arm, a fixed pivot about which one end of said arm may be moved, a crank rotatable about a fixed point, said pivot and point being spaced a hired distance, a connecting rod, means tov pivot one end of saidrod at the'other end of said arm, a web severing member mounted on said rod and positioned on one side of said web,-rneans to connect the other end of said rod to said crank eccen trically of 'said point, asecond web severing member positioned on the side of the web opposite said first member, means to mount said second member on said rod for movement transverse to the web movement and toward and away from said first member, the rotation of said crank serving to rock said one end of said rod'abo'u't said fixed pivot and to rotate the other end of said rod about said fixed pivot to oscillate said'rod' to move'both members in the direction of movement and at the lineal speed of said web, a cam on said second membermount ing means, a fixed roller engaged to said cam to niove said second severing means toward said first 'means to 'the direction opposite to said web movement after the severing thereof and also to move said first means away from-said web, and spring meanscarried by said'rod'and engaging said mounting means to move said second severing means away from said web and tomaintain said cam in positive engagement with said roller.

12. 'A mechanismtor severing a moving web to form sheets of a predetermined length comprising, in combination, a pair of web severing members positioned on opposite sides of the web and movable in the direction of the web movement and at the lineal speed ,of the web and relatively toward each other to sever the web, the members then moving away from each other and from the web and also in a direction opposite to the web movemerit, a mechanism for supporting and moving said members, said mechanism comprising a four-bar linkage comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced fixed points, a crank rotatable about one of said points, a rocker arm oscillatable about the other of said points, a connecting rod, means to connect one end of said rod to said crank, means to connect the other end of said rod to said rocker arm at a point spaced from said other point, one of said severing members being fixedly mounted on said connecting rod, means for slidabiy mounting said second severing member on said connecting rod for movement toward and away from said'first severing member, the rotation of said crank serving to oscillate said arm and rod about said other point and. torock said rod relative to said arm and to said crank to move both severing members in said first direction, a cam carried by the slidable mounting forjsaid secondisevering member, a stationary roller engaged by said cam so that upon rotation of said crank to move said member in-the direction of the web movement will move said second member simultaneously toward said firstmember to sever saidtweb, continuedrotationof the crank moving said rod to shift said mem' bers in the opposite direction, andtspring means on said rod engaging said slidable mounting means both to move said second member away from said web after the severing thereof and to retain said cam in positive engagement with'said roller. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,359,058

Haase et a1 Nov. 16, 1920 2,632,509 Skillrnan Mar. 24, 1953 1 FOREIGN PATENTS 1 5 258,080 Germany Mar. 29, 1913 Germany May 16, '1928 oubie-tee' 

